Device for crushing containers



Oct. 15, 1963 R. J. CHAPLEAU DEVICE FOR CRUSHING CONTAINERS 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1960 RICHARD J. CHAFLEAU INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 15, 1963 R. J. CHAPLEAU DEVICE FOR CRUSHING CONTAINERS 4Sheets-Sheet' 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1960 INVENTOR. RICHARD J. CHAPLEAUATTORNEY Oct. 15, 1963 R. J. CHAPLEAU 3,106,388

DEVICE FOR CRUSHING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 15, 1960 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fas. 5 54 44 I: l/Z 44 I 24 E Q: E

INV EN TOR.

RICHARD J. CHAPLEAU Y @M MM ATTQQJEY Oct. 15, 1963 R. J. CHAPLEAU DEVICEFOR CRUSHING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 15, 1960 lZO ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,106,888 Patented Oct. 15, 19633,196,888 DEVICE FOR CRUSHING CONTAINERS Richard J. Chapleau, 52930Timberland Road, South Bend, 1nd. Filed Dec. 13, 1960, Ser. No. 75,56814 Claims. (ill. 100-232) This invention relates to a device forcrushing containers and more particularly to a device for crushing metalcontainers or cans.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel, simple,strong, light weight and compact means for crushing containers.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having twopairs of crushing devices disposed in angular relation to each other andoperating sequentially to crush a container to predetermined shape andfiat form.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having opposedcrushing means carrying spring-urged container supporting means andhaving second opposed crushing means normally in retracted relation tothe path of the first means and adapted to travel perpendicularly to thepath of the first means to partially crush a metal can while the sarneis supported upon the aforesaid supporting means.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a novelframe of strong construction which is adapted to receive or acceptcontainers to be crushed and to discharge such containers when crushed.

A further object is to provide a device of thischaracter having a pairof angularly disposed, successively ope-rated can crushing means,wherein one of such means supports a can during the successiveoperations of both crushing means and automatically discharges the canswhen crushed.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan View of the device with .parts shown schematically;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary'vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 44 of PEG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the device illustrating the initialcrushing action performed by the device;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view illustrating the final crushing actionperformed by the device;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating amodified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG.7;

FIG. 9is a fragmentary view of a can after the same has been partiallydeformed at the end thereof by the can-creasing means of theconstruction illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1-1t of FIG. 7 andshown in reduced scale; and

lFlG. 11 is a fragmentary vertical detail sectional view taken on line-111-1 of FIG. 7 and illustrating the can in substantially fully crushedcondition.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive,which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10designates a frame of sub stantially cylindrical form, open at its topand bottom. The frame It) may be mounted upon any suitable support (notshown) or may be enclosed within any desired housing. It will beunderstood that, while the cylindrical form is preferred because of thestrength and simplicity thereof, other forms may be employed and theframe may be of any configuration desired to facilitate assembly ofcooperating parts, to provide the desired appearance or design or tosatisfy any operating requirement. The frame is rigid and is constructedto resist deforming thereof incident to the stresses of operation of thedevice.

A pair of power-operated crushing units are carried by the frame 11 inopposed relation. Each of these units includes a power-operated actuator12 adapted to be connected with a source of power. I have chosen forillustration herein the use of fluid pressure operated actuators, andmore particularly actuators operated by compressed air.

In the form shown, each actuator has an end or base plate 14 which issecured to the frame 10 by bolts 16 or other suitable securing means, asillustrated in FIG. 3. A cup-shaped diaphragm 18 is anchored at itsmargin to the base plate 14 by means of a clamping ring 20. The securingmeans 16 also serve the function of drawing the clamping ring 20 intoclamping engagement with the margin of the diaphragm so that the latteris seal ingly mounted upon the base 14 at its margin.

The central portion of the diaphragm 18 bears against an inner rigiddisk 22 mounted upon a rod or shaft 24 extending centrally and :slidablythrough an opening 26 in the base plate 14. Rod 24 passesfreely throughan opening 28 in the frame 10 and terminates in a screwthreaded endportion 30. Rod 24 extends substantially radially in the frame It androds 24 of opposite crushing units are preferably substantially aligned.

The member 22 is preferably cup-shaped and is provided with a marginalcylindrical portion 32 hearing against the inner surface of thecup-shaped part of the diaphragm wall 18 and serving to confine andposition one end of a coil spring 34 located within the diaphragm andbearing at its opposite end against the plate 14. The spring 34 servesnormally to urge the diaphragm to expanded cup-Shaped position, as shownin FIG. 3, wherein the opposed crushing units to be described areseparated and inoperative.

The actuator 12 includes means for anchoring the central portion of thediaphragm to the plate 22 and the rod 24 and, in the form here shown,such means constitutes a clamping plate 36 anchored upon the projectingend portion 38 of the rod 24 and cooperating with the cupshaped member22 to clamp the central portion of the diaphragm.

Power-actuated member 12 has a cup-shaped housing whose free cylindricalend portion is mounted upon the plate 14 and whose end portion 42 has acentral opening in which is mounted a nipple or fitting member 44. Afluid pressure line 46 is connected to the nipple 44 in a suitablemanner, as by means of a hose coupler 48.

The screw-threaded end portion 31] of the rod 24 is positioned withinthe outline of the frame 10 in all operative positions and, as hereshown, mounts thereon a hub or fitting member 50 to which is fixedlysecured an elongated rigid crushing plate 52 positioned in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the rod 24 and with its major longitudinaldimension horizontal.

Each of the crushing plates 52carries a pair of springpres sedsupporting members. These members may be of the construction illustratedin FIG. 4, wherein a cylindrical spring housing 54 is screw-threaded atone end portion 56 thereof within an opening in the plate 52 and hasscrew-threaded on its opposite end a cap or closure member 58. The part56 has an axial opening therein within which is slidable an elongatedrigid pin 60 having an enlarged head 62 at its inner end slidable withinthe bore of the part 54 and pressed upon by a coil spring 64 11 withinthe part 54 whose opposite end engages the cap 58. The pins 60 projectfrom the inner faces of the plate 52, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and arelocated adjacent the bottom margins of said plates 52, as illustrated inFIG. 3. The two pins on each crusher plate 52 are located atsubstantially the same level, and the pins 60 on opposite crushingmembers 52 are spaced apart in the normal or inoperative relation of theparts as illustrated in FIG. 1.

A second pair of power-actuated crushing members is mounted on the framein diametrically opposed relation to each other and substantiallyperpendicularly related to the power-actuator of crushing members 12,52. The second power actuated crushing members include actuator portions70 adapted to be operated by any suitable source of power andconveniently or preferably being actuated by the same source of power asis utilized to operate the actuators 12. Fluid pressure actuators,preferably of the compressed air type, have been elected forillustration.

In the form shown, each actuator 70 has a housing portion 72characterized by a base 74 secured to the frame 10 by suitable securingmeans. The outer end of the housing 72 is preferably open and may beflanged at 78 to engage the marginal portion of a diaphragm 80 which isclamped thereto by the marginal portion of an end cap or closure plate82 detachably mounted on the end of the housing 72 by any suitablemeans, such as a retainer ring 84. The cap 82 preferably has a centralopening to which is connected one end of a fluid pressure line orconduit 86.

The base 74 of the housing 72 preferably has a central aperture in whichis slidably mounted one end of a rod 88 which preferably terminates inor mounts a cupshaped member 90 to which the central portion of thediaphragm 80 is secured in any suitable manner, as by the use of a clampplate 92 mounted on the projecting end portion of the shaft 88 andpressing the central portion of the diaphragm against the member 90. Acoil spring 94 bears at one end against the base 74 and at its oppositeend against the member 90 to normally urge the shaft 88 to retractedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The rod 88 of each unit is preferably axially aligned with the similarrod of the other unit and, upon endwise shifting thereof, movessubstantially parallel to the plates 52 and between the same. At itsinner free end each rod 88 mounts a V-shaped crushing member 96 havingits sharp edge positioned innermost and preferably having itslongitudinal dimension vertical. In the normal position of the parts asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the innermost or edge portion of each ofthe members 96 is positioned clear of the path of travel of plates 52.

In a compressed air-operated device of the character here shown,conduits 86 are connected into open communication with each other as bymeans of a T-fitting 100 connected to one part of a control valve 102and the conduits 46 are connected in communication as by means of aT-fitting 104 connected to another part of the control valve 100. Valvehousing 102 is connected by conduit 106 with a source of fiuid underpressure, such as an air compressor 108. The valve has an exhaust port110 and may be of the type having a rotatable valve plug 112 providedwith passages 114 and 116. The valve will preferably be capable ofconnecting inlet 106 with either of the fittings 100 or 104 and ofconnecting the other of said fittings with the outlet 110 so as tocontrol the flow of fluid under pressure from the pressure source 108 toa selected pair of actuators and fiow of fluid under pressure from theother pair of actuators to atmosphere.

Any suitable means (not shown) may be provided to render the device safefor operation. Thus, in event the device is mounted within a casing orhousing (not shown) the valve may be so located that it cannot be easilyactuated until the casing or housing has been closed. Hence the operatorcannot have his hand within the device or in 4 a position at which hecould be injured incident to the operation of the device.

In the use of the device, the container or metal can 129 to be crushedis mounted in the device to rest upon the inner ends of the pins 60, asillustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The tips of the pins 60 will bespaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the container 120 soas to support the container 120 with its axis parallel to the plates 52.In the event containers 120 of small diameter are to be crushed, spacers(not shown) may be interposed between the head 50 and the plate 52 onthe one hand, and the frame 10 to limit the extent to which the springs34 move the crush plates 52 outwardly after each crushing stroke. Afterthe can 120 has been so positioned, the casing or enclosure may beclosed and the valve 102 operated as by rotation of the valve plug 112counterclockwise to bring the valve plug passage 116 into communicationwith the inlet passage 106 and the fitting to which the conduits 86 areconnected. Fluid pressure is thereby applied to the two actuators 70against the diaphragm 80 thereof for the purpose of moving endwise andinwardly the rods 88 and the V- shaped crushing members 96 mountedthereon. The V-shaped crushing members 96 engages the central portionsof the opposite ends of the can, as illustrated in FIG. 5, to formtransverse creases 122 therein. The creases 122 formed in the end facesand rims 124 of the can preferably extend completely thereacross, aresubstantially V-shaped and may be shallow. These creases also result inthe formation of bulges 126 in the sides of the can adjacent the creases122. The creasing of the ends of the can in this manner does notinterfere with its continued support upon the pins 60 and the plates 52will preferably be spaced apart sufliciently so that they are free fromcontact with the can during the end creasing operation.

Upon completion of the creasing stroke of the creasing members 88, 96energized by the actuator 70, the valve 102 is actuated to reverse thesetting of the plug passages 114 and 116. Thus the passage 114 isbrought into communication with the supply conduit 106 and the fitting104 with which the conduits 46 communicate, and the passage 116 isbrought into communication with passage .160 with which the conduits 86communicate and the exhaust 110. This provides for simultaneousoperation of the power operated actuators 112 and 70 by permittingventing of the actuators 70 to atmosphere with incident return of thecreasing members 96 to the retracted position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and6 and energizing the actuators 12 to move the pressure plates 52 towardeach other from the position shown in FIG. 5 toward that shown in FIG.6. As the plates 52 contact the sides of the can 120, the can is crushedand folded in a plane parallel to the plates 52 as accommodated by theinitial end creases 122 and side bulges 126 produced by the end creasingillustrated in FIG. 5. The plates 52 have a stroke suflicient tocompress the can to thin fiat form in which the ends thereof are foldedinto substantially complete V-fold, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and thesides thereof are flattened to a width substantially greater than thediameter of the can. When the cam flattening operation has proceeded toa point which brings the plates 52 together to a spacing less than theamount of projection of the fingers 60, said fingers are retractedagainst the action of the spring 64. Thus the pins 60 do not interferewith crushing of the can inasmuch as they retract into the cylinder 54as required. Pins 60 are preferably spaced apart so as to engage the cannear the opposite ends thereof, as seen in FIG. 5, and this arrangementpermits the vertical expansion of the side walls of the can to occurduring crushing thereof without interference from the pins 60 andwithout requiring substantial change in vertical position of the can asthe crushing operation proceeds.

After the can has been crushed, the control valve 102 may be actuated tonormal position, as illustrated in FIG. '1, closing the connection ofthe device with the source of fluid under pressure. Any suitable meansto vent or bleed the pressure within the power actuators 12 may beprovided, such as a venting construction inherent in the valve 102 whichnormally places the fitting 104 in communication with the exhaust valvewhen the valve is in a closed position, or such as the use of a ventingvalve 130 separately operated and located in the line 46, as illustratedin FIG. 1 in cases where air pressure is the motivating force. Whenpressure is released from the power actuators 12, the springs 34 retractthe pressure piston 52 and, as the pressure plates move away from eachother, the crushed can is free to fall to a discharge receptacle belowthe frame 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the invention. In referring to thismodified embodiment, parts similar to those in the preferred embodimentwill be identified by the same reference numerals.

One of the differences in the construction shown in FIG. 7, as comparedto that shown in FIG. 1, relates to the character of the members mountedon the rods 88 and serving to deform the ends of the cans. In thisembodiment an elongated rigid member mounted on each rod '88 has acurved can-contacting edge of concave configuration so that initialcontact With the can end is made only at diametrically opposed marginalportions thereof. Another characteristic of this can-crushing form isthat the can-engaging edge or portion is comparatively narrow and itcarries hardened wear shoes at the portions thereof which initiallycontact the can. In the specific embodiment illustrated, thecan-crushing members include a central elongated rigid blade portion1-30 reinforced by strengthening members, such as angle irons 132,welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto at one marginal portionthereof to which the rod 88 is connected. A portion of the rigid bladeprojects beyond the innermost edges of the reinforcing members 132 andhas a concave curved edge 134 positioned to confront the can 120, asseen in FIG. 7. Adjacent each end the blade carries pad members 136formed of Wear-resisting material, such as tungsten carbide, said padsbeing brazed, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the projectingportions of the blade 130 and extending to the concave edge 134 thereof,said brazing being illustrated at .138. The pads are preferablyelongated and are so spaced and positioned as to contact the oppositeedge portions of a can end of any of the sizes with which the device isto be used. The pads preferably are of the cross-sectional configurationillustrated in BIG. 8, being characterized by a rounded leading edge ornose portion 140 and a flaring rear portion -142 of such thickness thatthe trailing portions 142 will project outwardly relative to thereinforcing members 132.

The use of can-crushing means having a relatively thin blade portionwith a curved can-engaging edge and wear pads at the portions of theblades engaging the edges or rims of the can is advantageous in thatcreasing of the ends of the cans occurs with minimum resistance andminimum requirements for exertion of force and with assured uniformityof creasing of the can ends and with minimum danger of binding of thecan ends, as creased, to the creasing members. FIG. 9 illustrates atypical creased can end produced by creasing members of the characterillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The shape of the crease 123 is such thatmaximum depth of creasing occurs at the center of the crease and thesides of the crease curve symmetrically to follow the contour shown as aresult of the center contact only with the creasing means asdistinguished from a crease as shown in FIG. 5 produced by a large areaof contact between the can end and the creasing member.

The use of yieldable or spring-urged can supports upon the crushtingplates 52, while preferred, is not essential. Thus rigid or non-yieldingcan supports may be mounted upon said plates 52 if desired. Aconstruction illustrating the use of such rigid plates is shown in FIGS.7, l0 and 11. In this construction, a plurality of fingers 150 carriedby the plates 5-2 serve to support the can 126*. The fingers arepreferably rigid and are fixed with respect to the plates 52 and projectfrom the lower margins thereof. Each plate 52 will carry at least onefinger, and a total of at least three fingers mounted upon the twoplates will be required in each case. In FIGS. 7 and 10 I have chosen toillustrate the provision of three fingers 150 carried by each of theplates, the same being adapted to enter slots or cutouts in .theopposite plate 52, for which purpose the fingers 150 of opposite plateswill be out of alignment with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Ifdesired, the upper edges of the fingers 150 may be inclined at 154, asseen in FIG. 11. This arrangement permits the fingers to center the canas the can is being crushed, as illustrated in FIG. 11, although it willbe understood that the inclination of the upper edges 154 is notessential for can support during crushing thereof.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will be understood that changes in the constructionmay be made within the scope of the appended claim-s without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame open at itsupper and lower ends, a pair of container-crushing members carried bysaid frame in spaced opposed relation and shiftable substantiallyhorizontally toward and from each other, means carried by said crush ingmembers and projecting therebetween to support a container, and a pairof spaced opposed members carried by said frame normally clear of thepath of said crushing members and adapted to move substantiallyhorizontally between and independently of said crushing members todeform a container carried by said supporting means.

2. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame open at itsupper and lower ends, a pair of contamer-crushing members, at least oneof said member-s being shiftably carried by said frame and movablesubstantially horizontally toward and from the other between operativeand inoperative positions, container supports carried by and positionedbetween said crushing members, and a pair of container-deforming membersShift-r ably carried by said frame and movable substantiallyhorizontally toward and from each other between operative andinoperative positions in a direction at an angle to the movement of andbetween said crushing members.

3. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame open at itsupper and lower ends, a pair of container-crushing members, at least oneof said members being carried by said frame in spaced opposed relationand shiftable substantially horizontally relative to the other, meanscarried by said crushing members and adapted to support a container, anda pair of spaced opposed members carried by said frame normally clear ofthe path of said crushing members and adapted to move between saidcrushing members to deform a container carried by said supporting means,said last named members having container-engaging parts of substantiallyV-shape in cross section.

4. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame open at itsupper and lower ends, a pair of container-crushing members, at least oneof said members being carried by said frame in spaced opposed relationand shiftable substantially horizontally relative to the other, meanscarried by said crushing members and adapted to support a container, anda pair of spaced opposed members carried by said frame normally clear ofthe path of said crushing members and adapted to move substantiallyhorizontally between said crushing members to deform a container carriedby said supporting means, said last named members having elongated partshaving angularly converging can-engaging wall portions.

5. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame open at itsupper and lower ends, a pair of container-crushing members carried bysaid frame in spaced opposed relation and shiftable substantiallyhorizontally, means carried by said crushing members and adapted tosupport a container, and a pair of spaced opposed members carried bysaid frame normally clear of the path of said crushing members andadapted to move substantially horizontally between said crushing membersto deform a container carried by said supporting means, said crushingmembers having substantially flat and parallel plate portions, saidcontainer-supporting means being carried by the lower marginal portionof said plates.

6. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame, a pair ofpower-operated actuators carried by said frame in opposed relation, eachactuator including a part shiftable substantially horizontally towardand from the other, a plate carried by each shiftable part, said platesbeing arranged in confronting relation, container-supporting meanscarried by each plate and projecting toward the other plate, and a pairof power-operated means carried by said frame and each including anelongated member shiftable between and substantially parallel to saidplates, said last named member engaging and indenting opposite parts ofa container upon said supporting means.

7. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame, a pair ofpower-operated actuators carried by said frame in opposed relation, eachactuator including a part shiftable substantially horizontally towardand from the other, a plate carried by each shiftable part, said platesbeing arranged in confronting relation, container-supporting meanscarried by each plate and projecting toward the other plate, and a pairof power-operated means carried by said frame and each including anelongated member shiftable between and substantially parallel to saidplates, said last named member engaging and indenting opposite parts ofa container upon said supporting means, said last named shiftablemembers being spring-urged to positions clear of the paths of movementof said plates.

8. A device for crushing containers comprising a rigid frame, a pair ofpower-operated actuators carried by said frame in opposed relation, eachactuator including a part shiftable substantially horizontally towardand from the other, a plate carried by each shiftable part, said platesbeing arranged in confronting relation, container-supporting meanscarried by each plate and projecting toward the other plate, and a pairof power-operated means carried by said frame and each including anelongated member of substantially V-shape in cross-section, the edges ofsaid V-shaped members being positioned in adjacent relation toconstitute leading edges.

9. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said container supports arespring urged and yieldably engage the opposed crushing member.

10. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the cont ainer supports ofopposite crushing members are offset and each crushing member hasopenings therein receiving the container supports of the oppositecrushing member.

11. In a device for crushing containers, a frame, means for supporting acontainer in said frame, a pair of poweroperated actuators carried bysaid frame in opposed relation adjacent opposite ends of a containerwithin said frame and having parts shiftable toward and from each other,and a rigid member carried by each shiftable actuator part and having aconcave curved container-engaging edge of a length greater than thetransverse dirnension of the adjacent end of said container, saidmembers being narrow and shiftable edgewise by said actuators, and wearresistant pads carried by each of said members at each end of saidcontainer engaging edges for engagement with opposite marginal portionsof the ends of said container, said members being wider at said padsthan at the remainder of the container-engaging margins thereof.

12. A device for crushing containers as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcontainer supporting means constitute spring-pressed supports carried bythe crushing members of said first pair and each yieldingly projectingtoward the other member of said first pair.

13. A device for crushing containers as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcontainer supporting means constitute spring-pressed supports carried bythe crushing members of said first pair and each yieldingly projectingtoward the other member of said first pair,.said supports constitutingelongated members slidably carried by said crushing members andextending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of saidcrushing members.

14. A device for crushing containers as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcontainer supporting means constitute spring-pressed supports carried bythe crushing members of said first pair and each yieldingly projectingtoward the other member of said first pair, said supports constitutingelongated members slidably carried by said crushing members andextending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of saidcrushing members, and guides carried by said crushing members andslidably supporting said elongated members.

References Cited in the file of this patent

1. A DEVICE FOR CRUSHING CONTAINERS COMPRISING A RIGID FRAME OPEN AT ITSUPPER AND LOWER ENDS, A PAIR OF CONTAINER-CRUSHING MEMBERS CARRIED BYSAID FRAME IN SPACED OPPOSED RELATION AND SHIFTABLE SUBSTANTIALLYHORIZONTALLY TOWARD AND FROM EACH OTHER, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CRUSHINGMEMBERS AND PROJECTING THEREBETWEEN TO SUPPORT A CONTAINER, AND A PAIROF SPACED OPPOSED MEMBERS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME NORMALLY CLEAR OF THEPATH OF SAID CRUSHING